WesternOne Equity Income Fund, which has recently acquired three British Columbia rental companies, last week launched a new brand initiative and visual identity by changing the names of the companies to WesternOne Rentals and Sales.

In the past 22 months, WesternOne has acquired Production Equipment (acquired in August 2006), a specialist aerial and material handling rental company located in B.C.’s lower mainland; Old Country Rentals (acquired in June 2007), with two branches in Victoria B.C., and a leading player in the Victoria and Southern Vancouver Island rental industry for more than 30 years; and C&N Rentals, (acquired in January of this year) with branches in Comox and Courtney, B.C., and a growing presence in the Central and Northern Vancouver Island rental market.

“We believe that the British Columbia equipment rental market offers tremendous growth opportunities, especially for equipment rental companies that are dedicated to providing total service to their customers,” said CEO Darren Latoski. “As a direct response to the needs of our top customers who operate out of several locations across B.C., we have streamlined our internal operations and re-branded under one banner in B.C., to allow our customers to benefit from our equipment fleet across five B.C. retail locations; our industry expertise in several equipment rental segments; and increased access to our equipment sales and repair and service departments. Re-branding and the corresponding launch of an aggressive marketing campaign reflect the next stage of positioning the company for growth in 2008 and beyond.”

WesternOne Equity, which also owns Deerfoot Equipment Rentals in Calgary, Alberta, seeks to acquire predominantly equipment and infrastructure-related businesses located primarily in the Western Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.